Complexity

Theory and Applications

Nam P. Suh

Nam P. Suh focussed his axiomatic design theories on methods to understand and deal with complexity. Suh is a well-respected designer and researcher in the fields of manufacturing and composite materials. He is best known for his systems that aim to speed up and simplify the process of design for manufacturing. The 'axioms' in axiomatic design refer to a process to help engineers reduce design specifications down to their simplest components, so that the engineers can produce the simplest possible solution to a problem. Complexity, besides being a key area of burgeoning research in disciplines interested in complex systems and chaos theory (like computer science and physics), is a complicating factor in engineering design that many engineers find difficult to
overcome. Suh's multidisciplinary exploration of complex systems is meant to eliminate much of the confusion and allow engineers to accommodate complexity within simple, elegant design solutions.

Complexity

Theory and Applications

Nam P. Suh

Description

Nam P. Suh focussed his axiomatic design theories on methods to understand and deal with complexity. Suh is a well-respected designer and researcher in the fields of manufacturing and composite materials. He is best known for his systems that aim to speed up and simplify the process of design for manufacturing. The 'axioms' in axiomatic design refer to a process to help engineers reduce design specifications down to their simplest components, so that the engineers can produce the simplest possible solution to a problem. Complexity, besides being a key area of burgeoning research in disciplines interested in complex systems and chaos theory (like computer science and physics), is a complicating factor in engineering design that many engineers find difficult to
overcome. Suh's multidisciplinary exploration of complex systems is meant to eliminate much of the confusion and allow engineers to accommodate complexity within simple, elegant design solutions.

Complexity

Theory and Applications

Nam P. Suh

Table of Contents

1. Introduction2. Introduction to Axiomatic Design Principles3. Complexity Theory Based on Axiomatic Design4. Reduction of Time-Independent Complexity5. Reduction of Time-Dependent Complexity through the Use of Functional Periodicity6. Reduction of Complexity in Manufacturing Systems7. Reduction of Complexity by Means of Geometric Functional Periodicity8. Reduction of Complexity in Materials through Functional Periodicity9. Complexity of Biological Systems10. Complexity of Socio-Political-Economic Issues